I strongly feel that there should be a nice, official farewell thread for coach Ian Pont. To the best of my knowledge coach Pont has been the most involved, most engaging coach with Bangladesh fans through our Banglacricket.com and I dearly appreciated it.

It is sad to see coach Pont leave us, the Bangladesh team. Wishing him all the best in his professional journey and with his coaching center in U.K. I hope that coach Pont always remain active in this forum with us and keep posting and talking to us. That will soothe us more than anything.

__________________> Start slow. Build a base. Then explode.
> I needed to perform so that I could give my countrymen an occasion to cherish and be proud of - Ice Man> My photographs @ flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/obayedh/

Originally Posted by Baundule
^ I do not want him as the head coach. Did not like his "we can not / are not expected to win because we are ranked #9" thoughts. He will be great with the bowling duty.

He has a point. This 'reality check' stuff that every coach in the world employs will not do when trying to control fans expectations.

But on a serious point, any team can beat any team on a given day. BD are a talented squad and able to upset the odds. The lads MUST believe they can win any match, which is why I was disappointed at the lack of run chase in the first ODI against Aus.

It is only by winning, trying to win and believing that a win is possible, which players learn from and build on. It becomes a habit. Belief is a strong motivator. Reality is a great balancer though.

Bandule's comments would have held water if I hadn't have been the coach who spent the entire world cup motivating the players that they could win and arranging the motivational videos for the squad every match - as you may have seen in the media when Ryad spoke about this very fact.

Speaking to the players and what we discuss in the confines of the changing room can often be somewhat different to what fans think we talk about. All the coaches, especially myself, encouraged the players never to take a backward step. We couldn't have turned round 27 losses from 29 ODIs before my time, into winning 7 ODI's out of 8 after my arrival, if we hadn't....

__________________
"One day I was thinking, 'Thank God Sehwag was not born in Bangladesh'. If he was, he would have forgotten how to play cricket" - Tamim Iqbal

Ian,
I asked on another thread which fell behind,
So here it is,
Why don't u try for head coach and a bowling coach? This way BCB should be able to meet your demands if not more..... As Julien has a good chance of staying, you guys have the experience of working together and you guys understand the problem, something new coaches might take too long to grasp...
Question is, are you up for the double role?

Pls share the reasons if you are not interested to give us a better understandingPosted via BC Mobile Edition

Originally Posted by Ian Pont
He has a point. This 'reality check' stuff that every coach in the world employs will not do when trying to control fans expectations.

But on a serious point, any team can beat any team on a given day. BD are a talented squad and able to upset the odds. The lads MUST believe they can win any match, which is why I was disappointed at the lack of run chase in the first ODI against Aus.

It is only by winning, trying to win and believing that a win is possible, which players learn from and build on. It becomes a habit. Belief is a strong motivator. Reality is a great balancer though.

Bandule's comments would have held water if I hadn't have been the coach who spent the entire world cup motivating the players that they could win and arranging the motivational videos for the squad every match - as you may have seen in the media when Ryad spoke about this very fact.

Speaking to the players and what we discuss in the confines of the changing room can often be somewhat different to what fans think we talk about. All the coaches, especially myself, encouraged the players never to take a backward step. We couldn't have turned round 27 losses from 29 ODIs before my time, into winning 7 ODI's out of 8 after my arrival, if we hadn't....

I am very happy to know that.

I desperately want a change from the loser mentality we have been building for the last 4 years. I want the head coach to take responsibility for every bad performances instead of finding sugar-coated 'improvements'. And of course, statistics must be used with proper context, not for hiding the true picture. If you have that attitude, you are welcome to be the head coach.

Bangla cricket fans, in general, do have real expectations. We know our ranking very well and we do not mind losing to a better side; but we mind losing without a fight. We are happy if we do our part right and the opponents win because of their strength, not because of our mistakes. So, you do not have to mention the ranking thing to manage our expectation.

BCB needs to create a scholarship program sending transparently and reasonably selected pace bowling prospects to the Coach's academy. Ian's departure must be a new beginning and not the end of our relationship, for our own sake.

__________________
"And do not curse those who call on other than GOD, lest they blaspheme and curse GOD, out of ignorance. We have adorned the works of every group in their eyes. Ultimately, they return to their Lord, then He informs them of everything they had done." (Qur'an 6:108)

I desperately want a change from the loser mentality we have been building for the last 4 years. I want the head coach to take responsibility for every bad performances instead of finding sugar-coated 'improvements'. And of course, statistics must be used with proper context, not for hiding the true picture. If you have that attitude, you are welcome to be the head coach.

Bangla cricket fans, in general, do have real expectations. We know our ranking very well and we do not mind losing to a better side; but we mind losing without a fight. We are happy if we do our part right and the opponents win because of their strength, not because of our mistakes. So, you do not have to mention the ranking thing to manage our expectation.

Perfectly put bro. I feel the same way.

__________________
"And do not curse those who call on other than GOD, lest they blaspheme and curse GOD, out of ignorance. We have adorned the works of every group in their eyes. Ultimately, they return to their Lord, then He informs them of everything they had done." (Qur'an 6:108)

I desperately want a change from the loser mentality we have been building for the last 4 years. I want the head coach to take responsibility for every bad performances instead of finding sugar-coated 'improvements'. And of course, statistics must be used with proper context, not for hiding the true picture. If you have that attitude, you are welcome to be the head coach.

Bangla cricket fans, in general, do have real expectations. We know our ranking very well and we do not mind losing to a better side; but we mind losing without a fight. We are happy if we do our part right and the opponents win because of their strength, not because of our mistakes. So, you do not have to mention the ranking thing to manage our expectation.

I don't think any sane person would disagree with you.

I think the problem is the EXTREME reaction sometimes of media or supporters, when the team wins "we are going to win the WC", or when the team loses "the team are rubbish and everyone should be dropped'. It is against this background that any head coach has to operate and it is natural for that coach to try to create a balanced response.

I can almost give you a ready-made answer to any defeat by saying this: "The team is young and learning. They sometimes freeze when the pressure is on but they are trying to win. They are progressing and the future looks much better than when I took over. We don't have a Ponting, Sangakkara or Tendulkar to rely on.....blah blah blah"

I don't think it is the head coach (whoever he is) looking for excuses. I think it is a natural defence when extremely criticised or praised.

I happen to agree with you that it would be good for a head coach to be honest and not sugar coat anything. I just hope that the players can cope with that if he does.

__________________
"One day I was thinking, 'Thank God Sehwag was not born in Bangladesh'. If he was, he would have forgotten how to play cricket" - Tamim Iqbal

Originally Posted by rinathq
Ian,
I asked on another thread which fell behind,
So here it is,
Why don't u try for head coach and a bowling coach? This way BCB should be able to meet your demands if not more..... As Julien has a good chance of staying, you guys have the experience of working together and you guys understand the problem, something new coaches might take too long to grasp...
Question is, are you up for the double role?

Pls share the reasons if you are not interested to give us a better understandingPosted via BC Mobile Edition

Being a head coach is vastly different to be a specialist coach. Being both head coach and specialist coach at the same time is an interesting mix. I think it needs some careful consideration because it means a full commitment mentally and physically, so it is not a simple "yes, I would like to do that job".

The advantage I have is of course I've spent time with the squad and know them. I understand what is going on and know what ought to be done. And I don't need to take 6 months learning about things as someone new would have to.

Now I'm back in the UK I am getting on with my Mavericks Cricket Institute and coaching up and coming players of the future. So my thoughts are as "an outsider looking in" at the situation.

I do feel the person who takes the role needs some special skills: understanding of man management, a knowledge of development, an understanding of planning strategically and tactically, a passion for coaching and above all, the ability to implement a tough/solid discipline system. I have those skills myself, plus of course I do most of those things every day.

I think it's probably best to wait and see what the BCB want to find out if there is a skill match. I am convinced of one thing though - the BCB cannot afford to get the appointment wrong.

__________________
"One day I was thinking, 'Thank God Sehwag was not born in Bangladesh'. If he was, he would have forgotten how to play cricket" - Tamim Iqbal

Originally Posted by Ian Pont
I think it's probably best to wait and see what the BCB want to find out if there is a skill match. I am convinced of one thing though - the BCB cannot afford to get the appointment wrong.

That's absolutely right coach. Hoping for them to take a right decision.

Originally Posted by Ian Pont
Being a head coach is vastly different to be a specialist coach. Being both head coach and specialist coach at the same time is an interesting mix. I think it needs some careful consideration because it means a full commitment mentally and physically, so it is not a simple "yes, I would like to do that job".

The advantage I have is of course I've spent time with the squad and know them. I understand what is going on and know what ought to be done. And I don't need to take 6 months learning about things as someone new would have to.

Now I'm back in the UK I am getting on with my Mavericks Cricket Institute and coaching up and coming players of the future. So my thoughts are as "an outsider looking in" at the situation.

I do feel the person who takes the role needs some special skills: understanding of man management, a knowledge of development, an understanding of planning strategically and tactically, a passion for coaching and above all, the ability to implement a tough/solid discipline system. I have those skills myself, plus of course I do most of those things every day.

I think it's probably best to wait and see what the BCB want to find out if there is a skill match. I am convinced of one thing though - the BCB cannot afford to get the appointment wrong.

Thanks Ian for your views. Like i said, i think you are more than qualified for the job (I believe) I think for Bangladesh, they need a coach who can teach them the basics. We don't need Gary Kristen or someone like that. Because right now, Bangladesh is trying to play consistent cricket with proper basics and the right attitude. If one can do that, they qualify as a worthy candidate. Your plus point is your experience with boys that gives you the edge. Also you know Ross and you can instruct or work collectively to develop talents and have them ready to go with basics mastered for future.

I couldn't help but see a difference between the performance drop of the pacers after you left. It tells me that you were spoon feeding them (not saying it wasn't wise because given the time frame that was the only thing to be done)